Nothing worth doing is ever easy

Tuesday

Apr 30, 2013 at 12:01 AM

The Kings staying in Sacramento leads these random thoughts for a Tuesday:

Bob Highfill

The Kings staying in Sacramento leads these random thoughts for a Tuesday:

» Now that an NBA committee has recommended the league's owners deny the Maloof's acceptance of a bid to move the franchise to Seattle, let's see if the downtown arena comes to fruition and the Kings' brass can put a winning product on the court.

» It can be done. Look at the Warriors. New owners Joe Lacob and Peter Guber have quickly transformed Golden State into an exciting team that needs one more victory over Denver to win its first playoff series since 2007.

» The Thunder can advance to the ECHL Western Conference Finals with one more win against the Alaska Aces. Tough skating, however, as Stockton needs to take one of the next two in Anchorage.

» D.J. Hayden almost died last November after sustaining a hard blow to the chest during practice as a player with the University of Houston. Last Thursday, the Raiders drafted the cornerback in the first round with the 12th overall selection. Who knows what kind of career he'll have, but Hayden already has proven to be one tough customer. Here's a player everyone should root for.

» Tim Tebow was on his way to the weight room at the Jets training center when he was summoned into general manager John Idzik's office to learn the team was releasing him. The popular quarterback lasted 13 months with the Jets. His football future isn't certain, but sooner or later, he seems committed to performing good work off the field.

» Jason Collins, an NBA veteran journeyman and former Stanford standout, now is a household name after coming out Monday as a gay man, the first active player from a major American professional sport to do so. Shaquille O'Neal tweeted: "Character is found in those who lead. I am so proud of my friend, Jason Collins, for showing all of us what leadership looks like."

» Stanford senior-to-be quarterback Josh Nunes announced his retirement from football, likely because of an arm injury he sustained in February. Nunes was the starter last season before Kevin Hogan emerged. Now the Cardinal finds itself thin at the position, as Brett Nottingham transferred last December.

» Greg Norman said professional golf's drug testing is "disgraceful." He believes blood testing is in order. "Any sportsman or sportswoman who uses an outside agency to improve their skills is cheating," he told The Australian newspaper. "It sickens me."

» Dale Earnhardt would have turned 62 on Monday. "The Intimidator" died in an accident at the 2001 Daytona 500. The Sprint Cup Series heads to Talladega this week, where Earnhardt earned his 76th and final victory in October 2000. Former Braves third baseman Chipper Jones, an avid race car fan, will be the grand marshal at Talladega this weekend.